By Sherry Larson
People’s Defender
On Mother’s Day, Richard Seas visited his wife’s grave for the first time since her burial five years ago. Seas lost his beloved bride in an automobile accident that also paralyzed his youngest son, Nicholas. “There’s been a lot of death and tragedies,” said Seas. And so, he steps away from his Superintendent’s position at Adams County Ohio Valley School District not only because he has achieved over 35 years of time served but also because Seas said, “I just need to go. I need less distress. This is a big, beautiful place, and it’s a 24/7 operation.”
Seas extends his gratitude to board members Kent Bauman, Judy Campbell, Charlie Bess, John Lewis, and the late Tom Reed for hiring him on March 26, 2015. Seas soon realized that “ACOVSD is everything times three and a CTC.” He said, “The district is complex from the standpoint that the district is made up of three attendance areas, a career technical school, and one Board of Education.”
Seas’ retirement is official on December 31, 2023, but he’s stepping down on July 31 after assisting with the new Superintendent transition. Dawn Wallace will take the post on August 1. He said, “I’m not really retiring. I’m simply retiring from the State Teachers Retirement System so I can think through my next adventure in education. Before working in school administration, I worked as a Science teacher. I still maintain a 7-12 comprehensive science license, allowing me to return to the classroom.”
Noting the size and complexity of the district, Seas explains, “The people that I have worked with are second to none.” He continued, “The administration, staff, and community care about kids.” Seas cites his pride in how the school and community navigated during COVID commending local churches for feeding families, the direction of Dr. William Hablitzel of the Adams County Health Department, and Alan Bird of the Adams County Regional Medical Center. He said, “For most of the COVID crisis, our schools remained open, and kids could eat, stay warm, be loved and cared for, and educated. We even found a way to have a high school graduation.”
There were many accomplishments during Seas’ tenure at ACOVSD, but he emphasizes, “I didn’t do them. It was done by a team of people I was glad to be a part of.” Among the list: updated job descriptions, Ohio School Board Association Board policy revision, teachers credentialed to teach College Credit Plus classes, participation in GRIT, purchase of a new bus garage, purchase of a farm attached to the CTC, the addition of the Early Childhood Program to the CTC, the addition of Welding Program to the CTC, successful negotiations, development of a safety program, the start of archery and wrestling, implementation of a district-wide athletic policy, implementation of a Labor Management Council, created exceptional education, and a reopened Oliver School.
“It’s not about a teacher’s union, classified union, administration, or board of education. It’s really about unity,” said Seas in appreciation for the work of the OVEA and OAPSE leadership. He continued, “The key to getting and maintaining unity is making sure people are heard, respected, and fairly compensated.”
Seas shares his love for Adams County, deep faith in God, and hope to move forward into another rewarding season of life – taking time to heal. He said he and his wife always believed in “enjoying people while they’re here.” He would offer this wisdom to his successor, “The staff is amazing – take the time and listen to them.” He concludes that whatever role he has taken as an educator “is about making educational opportunities for kids. I would like to think I’ve done just that in my first 37 years of education.”